- 2026 Leith Hill Music Festival
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Date Posted: Wed, 15 Apr 2026
Friday 11 April and an early start to a long day of singing. This was Avi' Taler's first appearance at the Festival as our conductor and the recital in the morning went well, particularly the Prince of Peace and The Train (despite illness in the bass section). The lower voice ensemble was excellent, congrats to the men.
Joining together with the other four choirs of the division, soloists and Southern Pro Musica all under the baton of Neil Ferris, for the afternoon rehearsal and the concert brought the Da Vinci Requiem and the Mystical Songs to life. An exhausting but exhilarating day
- Val Beynon to be our Conductor Emeritus
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Date Posted: Wed, 1 Apr 2026
Oxshott Choral Society asked Valerie Beynon to be Conductor Emeritus in recognition of her role not only in restarting the choir in 1975 but also for her outstanding and inspiring leadership over fifty years.
Val was very touched to be asked and delighted to accept this Honorary title.
- Summer Season
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Date Posted: Wed, 1 Apr 2026
The summer season start on Wednesday, 22 April when we will be working, with Avi Taler, for a Concert on Friday 12 June at 7pm in St Andrew's, Oxshott. Avi is putting together a programme of different syles of music from Bach to the present day and it's a great opportunity for new members to come along and try us for this short season.
Music will be provided, and there will be a small charge to cover costs of the eight weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays, 22 April - 10 June and a Singing Morning rehearsal on Saturday 9 May.
We look forward to meeting you at our rehearsal venue, St Mary's Stoke D'Abernon at 8pm on 22 April.
- A good start to the season
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Date Posted: Sun, 14 Sep 2025
Sept
ember 10th and OCS were back together, welcoming old and new members with time to chat over a glass of something. 
We were pleased to welcome Avi who, though having problems with the journey, enthusiastically warmed up our vocal cords before introducing some of the new music we will be singing this term. We look forward to next week's rehearsal (it's not too late to come along and find out more about singing with us) and hopefully the trains will be working!
- Farewell and Thank You.
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Date Posted: Fri, 18 Jul 2025
5th July was lunch party day and time for us to say our farewells to our much-loved conductor, Val. Current and former members came together to thank Val for all she has done for music making in Oxshott. After meeting for a time of reminiscence over a glass of fizz and a few nibbles, we moved into the beautiful flower bedecked hall for a wonderful cold buffet provided by members of the choir,
Celebrating the 50 years of Val's music making with Oxshott, a table quiz on 50 years of musical milestones proved how knowledgeable combined brains proved to be - every one a winner!
After so many memories shared it was time to say goodbye. Our current Chair, Mike Newman, made a presentation of a photo memory book of tours we have enjoyed; historical record books; a Lark Ascending rose and a donation for perhaps, a holiday?
After the presentation of a huge cake (party bags for all!) and a chorus of For she's a jolly good fellow, it was time to leave and look to the future. Val will be much missed but we will keep her legacy going.
So in the words of Val's favourite ABBA song, ''Thank you for the music'.
- Announcement of new MD - Avi Taler
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Date Posted: Thu, 1 May 2025
We are delighted that in September we are welcoming our new MD, Avi Taler
Avi is an Israeli-born conductor, choral director, and educator with a strong passion for community music-making. He studied orchestral and choral conducting at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv and the Royal College of Music in London, where he worked with leading conductors and collaborated on opera and orchestral projects, he has led choirs of all levels and, in July 2023, made his debut at the Royal Albert Hall conducting over 1,100 young singers in a major event celebrating inclusion and diversity.
Avi is passionate about fostering a love for singing bringing warmth, energy, and musical insight to rehearsals. We are looking forward to him building on our traditions of joyful, inclusive music-making.
- Music Won the Cause
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Date Posted: Mon, 24 Mar 2025
As Val enjoys her final season with us in Oxshott and with the Leith Hill Music Festival, she talks about her involvement over the last 50 years with Brian Kay, President of LHMF and previous Festival conductor.
For the text of what was said follow this link.For more information, see: lhmf.org.uk/music-won-the-cause
- Neil Ferris comes to OCS
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Date Posted: Sat, 15 Feb 2025
We enjoyed an energetic and energising rehearsal on 12 February with Neil Ferris, Leith Hill Music Festival Conductor, a big sing of some of the most dramatic movements of the Dream of Gerontius.
It'll be a great concert, tickets are available now and for more information, see the link.For more information, see: lhmf.org.uk/future-events/leith-hill-music-festival-day-2
- Val gets an award
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Date Posted: Thu, 11 May 2023
Congratulations to Val Beynon on receiving an award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey for herservice to the community in Surrey. The award comes as recognition for all Val has done in encouragingmusic-making and singers through the various choirs she has conducted in Surrey.
The citation on the Lord-Lieutenant’s Award reads:‘His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey hereby records his gratitude to Valerie Beynon in appreciation of your service to the community in Surrey.’The award was presented to Val at our weekly rehearsal this Wednesday by Sir Stephen Lamport, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. Val received a standing ovation from all the choir members present and we are all delighted that Val's service and commitment to her choirs over such a long period of time has been recognised in this way.
